Metiers Art Museum
The museum is currently closed
Best metro stations for Musee Art-et-Metiers are:
Art-et-Metiers - 4 mins walk
Réaumur - Sébastopol -4 min walk
This interesting museum which is devoted to the history of science and inventions may not be on every Paris visitors list of things to see but if you are interested in how things work and want to know more about their development you will love the Musee des Arts et Metiers.
Originally founded by revolutionaries to celebrate the glory of science, the collections are partially housed in the former abbey church of Saint Martin des Champs. So you have the double benefit of the permanent exhibitions inside the building plus you also have the attraction of the building itself.
Inside the church you will find an interesting mix of items on display including an original version of the Foucault pendulum,the first experiment to give evidence of the Earth's rotation plus th the original model for the 'Statue of Liberty
Outwith the converted church the main building is divided into various categories power, transport, communication and sciences in a more traditional way.
Information is mainly in French with a little English translation but you can hire language audio guides for an addition € 5.00, although the visual experience alone is probably worth it.
Please note: You should make a point of visiting the interesting copper-lined metro station of the same name. There are two different lines connecting the Art-et-Metiers metro station line 3 and line 11
You need to make your way to the line 11 platforms (if you haven't arrived on it) to see its copper-lined tunnel, as apart from its copper lighting system, line 3 is a pretty standard station. If you want to view it from above ground the best access point is on Rue Conté, near the corner of Rue de Turbigo. 
TIP:
This is a popular museum for school outings so we recommend going there in the afternoon and avoiding Wednesdays, weekends or public holidays. You could stop off here on the way to visit Pere Lachaise Cemetery which can be accessed via line 3 on the metro. |
Official website: www.arts-et-metiers.net/
Opening hours :
Other transport options
St Michel Notre Dame
Nos. 20.38.39,& 47
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